Five Warbirds, One Mission – Memorial Day 2025
Five historic aircraft filled the skies over Palm Springs during the 2025 Memorial Day program at the Palm Springs Air Museum—each representing a different chapter of American aviation history and military service. My photographs of these aircraft in flight capture not only their striking forms against the desert backdrop but also the enduring legacy they carry.
The lineup included:
– C-47 “What’s Up Doc?” – A D-Day veteran honoring airborne operations and troop transport.
– P-51 Mustang “Bunny” – Flown in tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen and their place in aviation history.
– P4Y-2G Super Privateer – The last flying example of this rare patrol bomber, once used by the Navy.
– PBJ (Navy B-25 Mitchell) – A Navy-modified medium bomber that served in the Pacific theater.
– T-28 Trojan N372C – A Cold War-era trainer that transitioned into combat roles in Southeast Asia.
Each aircraft flew as part of the museum’s commemorative program, honoring those who served and sacrificed in conflicts from World War II through the Vietnam War.
I’m especially pleased that five of these images were featured yesterday in the “BREAKING NEWS from LAST 24 HOURS” section on ZUMA Press, a strong acknowledgment of the visual and historical power of these aircraft in flight.
Photographing History: Trump’s Coachella Rally
🎥 History Through My Lens 🎥
On October 12th, I was privileged to document Donald Trump’s rally in Coachella as a credentialed photographer for ZUMA Press.
Whether or not we agree on politics, the re-election of Trump as President is undeniably a historical moment. My images from this rally have reached news outlets worldwide, and now they’re available for you to view and own as prints.
This opportunity was a testament to my 20+ years with ZUMA Press and the power of photography to capture defining moments in history.
📲 Explore the collection: https://www.secondfocus.com/index/G00009jJP8dxWtJk
Flyover for Buzz Lynch
Yesterday returning from the memorial flyover for Buzz Lynch, the P-51 Mustang “Bunny”, the P-51 Mustang “Man-O-War” and a T-28 Trojan. They were accompanied by two A-10 Thunderbolts from Davis-Mothan Airbase in Tucson Arizona.
George Patrick “Buzz” Lynch, Jr. passed away at age 89 on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, in Rancho Mirage, CA, with his wife, Maxine Lundt, by his side. Buzz had a remarkable career in the United States Air Force, where he logged approximately 6,000 flight hours and flew 34 different aircraft.
A West Point graduate, Buzz began his Air Force career in 1956, quickly excelling as a pilot. He flew F-100s with the 356th Tactical Fighter Squadron and later earned a Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering before attending the prestigious Air Force Test Pilot School. Buzz completed a combat tour in Vietnam, where he served as a Flight Commander flying F-4 Phantoms. He later led test missions for the F-4 and YA-10, including the first USAF flight of the YA-10, playing a key role in the aircraft’s development. His leadership continued at the Air War College, where he graduated as a Distinguished Graduate, and he capped off his career with significant roles in systems testing at Nellis AFB and Wright-Patterson AFB. His awards included the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.
In recognition of his contributions, two A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft performed a memorial flyover today in Palm Springs, California, flying in formation to honor his decades of service and dedication to aviation. September 28, 2024
Each Of Us Can Work To Change A Small Portion Of Events…
“Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events. It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped.” – Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – 1966
Please join with me and an amazing resource of living history, the Palm Springs Air Museum, in building this working memorial to the many who have served during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. The support we provide now will honor those who have given so much and will influence so many who will one day walk through those doors. Thank You! And please click here… https://www.gofundme.com/fb5e43ac
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